Shell Demo in Dublin

by pol Wed Jul 06, 2005 23:43

Good to see a Nun leading the demo for these men locked up by the Free State. Christianity in Action.

by Terry - none Thu Jul 07, 2005 02:18

There was a good turnout of people at tonights demo against Shell and the jailing of the Mayo 5 farmers. I would say there were at least several hundred people present, perhaps somewhere between 500 and 1000.

The march assembled at the top of Parnell Square with some speakers briefly and then headed off down to the GPO. There were plenty of banners and colour in the crowd and Sinn Fein were out in numbers too supporting the protest. There were quite a number of people present who had come up from Mayo. Overall the impression I got was that people were amazed at what had happened and were clearly taken a back by the actions of the State.

Down at the GPO, there were a number of speakers from people involved directly in the campaign which is largely the people affected in Mayo. There was also a speaking describing briefly the activities of Shell in Nigeria. Other speakers were Joe Higgins who called for a national oil and gas company that would take over the job and use the money from these resources for the benefit of the Irish people rather than the current arrangement, where all the benefits go to private companies, since our politicians signed away all tax rights on these resources years ago.
C. Doolin (SF) also gave an impassionate speech.

And what was probably a first, we were treated to some fiddle playing from a man from Mayo which you may be able to just make out in one of the pictures.

Speaker at Shell Protest in Parnell Square

Some of crowd in Parnell square

Down outside the GPO

More people at GPO

Man playing fiddle outside GPO at Shell Protest for Mayo 5

by majella - osi Thu Jul 07, 2005 19:56

Thanks to the unknown Mayo fiddler. He played two pieces - one the Rossport Reel - was composed by a McGrath relative of Vincent in Cloverhill. Please tell him. There is a rich traditional venin among the men in prison which encourages activists to use music at and during rallies - pipes and accordions and bodhrans and drums as well as fiddles - singers too. Music carries and comforts and encourages stressed emotions of families and prisoners.

Comment edited to remove uppercasing. Please don't post comments all in uppercase - it's considered shouting! ;) Thanks for the info on the Rossport Reel - 1 of IMC Ed

by Claire Fri Jul 08, 2005 00:45

Good rally last night. Go n-éiri libh go léir.

by Carolyn Fri Jul 08, 2005 15:47

Attended rally on wednesday evening, would like to comend Sr Majella McCarron on her wonderful courageous speech. Her experience of Shell in Nigeria where she spent thirty years, is very real and credible.

by redjade Fri Jul 08, 2005 16:00

you can find a photo of him (and those dancing) at
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=70700

by "ciarrog eile" Sun Jul 10, 2005 09:08

isn't that John Hoban, fiddler and storyteller from Castlebar? - he of certain fame in
Michigan, USA, and in Detroit Irish circle?

by Michael Quinn Sun Jul 10, 2005 21:34 mpq at campus dot ie

Great to see such solidarity with the Mayo protestors - leanaigí ar aghaidh!